NASA 1996 SBIR Phase I

PROJECT TITLE : PASSIVELY Q-SWITCHED MICROCHIP LASER DEVELOPMENT

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)

Our proposed source is an innovative fiber-coupled, laser-diode-pumped, all solid-state laser employing a novel passive Q-switch. The optical design is simple with a low component count and is therefore extremely compact and rugged. The fiber-coupled pump source may be remote from the laser head allowing for optimal placement of the pump source for heat removal (several Watts) and optimal placement of the laser head for optical system integration. The passive Q-switching technique removes the need for high-voltage or RF electronics, and the materials used are as optically robust as the laser material. We have demonstrated each of these concepts individually under circumstances different to those proposed herein. The technological progress expected from this effort will result from the combination of the two techniques acting as performance multipliers for one another. The net result is expected to be a source of 100 microJ laser pulses with <200 ps duration at 1-micron, with TEM00 beam quality. Simple harmonic generation techniques will allow for generation of green, blue, and UV pulses. The power and weight properties of this concept in conjunction with the optical parameters are considered ideal for the NASA air/spaceborne lidar and altimetry applications.

The proposed effort has both direct and indirect commercial potential in the areas of lidar, ranging, altimetry, laser micromachining, laser marking, laser printing, Raman spectroscopy, time-resolved fluorimetry, imaging, and photo-resist/photo-plate exposure. Some of these applications use the fundamental laser wavelength and others require simple harmonic conversion.

Dr. David Welford
Schwartz Electro-Optics Inc.
45 Winthrop St., Concord, MA 01742

Schwartz Electro-Optics Inc.
45 Winthrop St., Concord, MA 01742